Strapped in the rear seat of the T-33's cockpit, I triple-checked the buckles and straps securing me. The clear bubble canopy sealed shut with a click, shutting out the aircraft's engine roar.

The T-33 Shooting Star was used to train US Air Force pilots on jet aircraft until the early 1960s. The flight was an unforgettable glimpse into aviation history as modern fighters rule the skies.